Marques — Restaurant in Akron

During a recent trip to Akron, I had my first Marques experience. On the website, they bill their cuisine as "Southern, Cajun, and Creole Fusion". What I can say is that I was impressed with the food.

The menu includes fried okra, gumbo, fried chicken gizzards and livers, jambalaya, fried chicken, collard greens, candied yams and chicken and waffles, to name a few items. I had the fried chicken with collard greens, candied yams and corn bread. Another person in the group had shrimp and grits (I was recently told the shrimp and grits is a popular low country dish from the Carolinas and Georgia). At least one person had chicken and waffles.

Usually the cornbread, collard greens and yams are NOT done well in restaurants. I have never had those at a restaurant that came close to having them at home or with family. Marques NAILED ALL THREE. Additionally, restaurant fried chicken is usually cooked in a deep fryer. Pan-fried chicken is so much better. Marques must pan fry his chicken because it was very close to the way my mother and grandmother made it.

The people in the group who had chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits or macaroni and cheese say they were impressed too. Just as important is the food was reasonably priced and the atmosphere is modern which I like. The server and the chef were friendly and attentive.

All and all, this is a great place if you are looking for American southern food or 'soul food'.

P.S. Thank you for mailing my hat back to me in Massachusetts. It is one of...

Not one to write reviews often but I feel obligated given our great experience. Friends/family and I have often visited 83 Brewery (next door) over the past couple years and Marques has only recently opened up but we had always hoped for a good food place close by for dinner after drinks. We finally got to give Marques a try. It looks fairly dark inside from the outside but it’s mostly due to the tinted windows of the building. The atmosphere is nice and laid back - dimly lit - but clean and comfortable. We sat at the bar and the bartender greeted us upon entry. It was fairly slow but had constant traffic once we sat down. Bartender was very friendly and helpful. She was attentive but not overboard. We order fried okra for an appetizer and shortly after ordered our meals. The appetizer was fantastic. It seemed like a homemade breading with great seasoning. We really enjoyed. For our meals, we ordered the Collins fried chicken sandwich, chicken etoufee, collard greens and a Buffalo chicken salad. Everything, from top to bottom, was fantastic. Portions were on the larger side and everything felt and tasted homemade and like it was made with care. The wait was on the longer side considering it wasn’t busy but given how good everything was, we had no complaints! I don’t think a lot of people know about the place yet and that’s another reason I feel compelled to write this review. It’s worth your time to stop in and give them a try! We were...

Marques, a new restaurant located in Akron, Ohio, is a culinary gem that will leave diners with a lasting impression. From the moment you enter the cozy and welcoming space, you are transported to a world of rich flavors and delicious cuisine.

The menu at Marques is a carefully curated selection of dishes that showcase the best of Southern cuisine. One standout dish that I tried was the gumbo, which was masterfully crafted with complex flavors and perfectly balanced spices. The gumbo was rich and hearty, with tender chunks of meat and vegetables that were expertly cooked to perfection.

Another standout dish was the yams, which were simply outstanding. The perfectly cooked yams were bursting with flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the savory notes. The dish was hearty and satisfying, and a true testament to the chef's skill in creating dishes that both comfort and delight the senses.

While the food at Marques is exceptional, the dimly lit dining room did detract somewhat from the overall experience. This is a minor quibble, however, as the food more than makes up for any shortcomings in the ambiance.

Overall, Marques is a culinary destination that should not be missed. The restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and expert preparation is evident in every dish, and diners will leave feeling both satisfied and inspired by the culinary...